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Staff Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

About the Opportunity As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will lead manufacturing engineering for the internal production of complex electromechanical assemblies and drive partnerships with our ...

New

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

About the Opportunity As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will lead manufacturing engineering for the internal production of complex electromechanical assemblies and drive partnerships with our ...

New

STAFF MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$121K - $182K/yr

STAFF MANUFACTURING ENGINEER Posting Start Date: 8/17/26 At TE, you will unleash your potential working with people from diverse backgrounds and industries to create a safer, sustainable and more ...

New

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$85K - $109K/yr

The Staff Systems Engineer will serve as a senior technical lead supporting manufacturing, sustaining engineering, and new product transition activities for advanced semiconductor capital equipment ...

The Staff Process/Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for being the expert for all wafer processing and development used in the fabrication of MEMS devices. This role requires applying engineering ...

New

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$85K - $109K/yr

The Staff Systems Engineer will serve as a senior technical lead supporting manufacturing, sustaining engineering, and new product transition activities for advanced semiconductor capital equipment ...

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$111 - $185/hr

As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for day-to-day technical support for pilot plant operations and lead process and equipment enhancements. Where You Come In Lead cross ...

New

As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for day-to-day technical support for pilot plant operations and lead process and equipment enhancements. Where you come in: * Lead cross ...

As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for day-to-day technical support for pilot plant operations and lead process and equipment enhancements. Where you come in: * Lead cross ...

Job Summary & Responsibilities The Staff Manufacturing NPI Engineer supports the execution of new product introductions through hands-on manufacturing support, rapid response to design changes, and ...

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Milpitas, CA ยท On-site

$112K - $168K/yr

Job Summary & Responsibilities The Staff Manufacturing NPI Engineer supports the execution of new product introductions through hands-on manufacturing support, rapid response to design changes, and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Staff Manufacturing Engineer information

See California salary details

$22.7K

$98K

$190K

How much do staff manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff manufacturing engineer in California is $98,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,100.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff manufacturing engineer?

Staff Manufacturing Engineers are senior-level professionals responsible for designing, improving, and overseeing manufacturing processes within a company. They play a key role in optimizing production efficiency, ensuring product quality, and implementing new technologies or methods. In addition to technical expertise, they often mentor other engineers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges. Their work directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and the overall success of manufacturing operations.

How does a staff manufacturing engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve production processes?

Staff Manufacturing Engineers regularly work with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, supply chain, and operations, to optimize manufacturing processes. They often lead or participate in meetings to review product designs for manufacturability, troubleshoot production issues, and implement process improvements. This collaboration ensures that production runs smoothly, products meet quality standards, and any issues are quickly resolved. Effective communication and teamwork are essential in this role, as solutions often rely on input from multiple departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a staff manufacturing engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, process optimization, and problem-solving, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing methodologies, and experience with automation systems are highly valued, along with relevant certifications such as Six Sigma Green or Black Belt. Excellent project management, communication, and teamwork skills help you lead initiatives and collaborate effectively across departments. These skills are essential to drive production efficiency, ensure product quality, and support continuous improvement in manufacturing environments.

What is the difference between Staff Manufacturing Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectStaff Manufacturing EngineerManufacturing Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, often with 5+ years experienceBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, typically 2-4 years experience
Work EnvironmentLead projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, oversee manufacturing processesSupport manufacturing operations, troubleshoot issues, implement process improvements
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large manufacturing firms, high-volume production environmentsCommon in various manufacturing settings, including small to medium companies

The main difference between a Staff Manufacturing Engineer and a Manufacturing Engineer lies in experience level, scope of responsibilities, and leadership roles. Staff Manufacturing Engineers typically have more experience, lead complex projects, and provide technical guidance, whereas Manufacturing Engineers focus on supporting and improving manufacturing processes. Both roles are essential in manufacturing industries but differ in seniority and scope.

What job categories do people searching Staff Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Staff Manufacturing Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Staff Manufacturing Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,029 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Staff Manufacturing Engineer

Mendaera, Inc.

San Mateo, CA โ€ข On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

About the Opportunity

As a Staff Manufacturing Engineer, you will lead manufacturing engineering for the internal production of complex electromechanical assemblies and drive partnerships with our external manufacturing network. This role will own the technical relationship with existing contract manufacturers and lead the identification, qualification, and onboarding of new manufacturing partners. This engineer will develop, transfer, and continually improve robust, scalable manufacturing processes for our capital equipment, and partner with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to achieve production goals across quality, delivery, cost, and scale.ย 

What You'll Do

  • Own the technical relationship and manufacturing performance of contract manufacturing partners.
  • Plan and execute manufacturing transfers between internal production and external partners, as well as between contract manufacturing sites.
  • Partner with R&D early in product development to drive DFM/DFA, define manufacturing strategies, and ensure new assemblies are ready for external production.
  • Develop and transfer complete manufacturing packages, including process flows, work instructions, routings, and inspection plans
  • Develop and transfer custom tooling and fixtures to support assembly
  • Lead pilot builds, process characterization, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), production readiness reviews, and manufacturing ramp activities.
  • Establish clear transfer plans, schedules, risks, deliverables, and acceptance criteria to ensure continuity of supply and successful production handoffs.
  • Drive improvements in quality, yield, delivery, capacity, cycle time, and cost across the external manufacturing network.
  • Define and monitor manufacturing performance metrics, identify emerging risks, and ensure timely escalation and resolution of issues.
  • Collaborate across R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to align technical requirements and drive manufacturing decisions.

ย 

Desired Skills & Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, NPI, industrialization, supplier manufacturing, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience transferring complex electromechanical assemblies between internal production and contract manufacturing sites.
  • Experience identifying, evaluating, qualifying, and onboarding contract manufacturers or other strategic manufacturing partners.
  • Strong knowledge of electromechanical assembly, production tooling, fixtures, test equipment, inspection methods, and manufacturing process controls.
  • Experience developing and transferring manufacturing documentation, including assembly procedures, process flows, routings, inspection plans, PFMEAs, control plans, and training materials.
  • Experience leading pilot builds, production readiness reviews, process validation, and manufacturing ramp activities.
  • Strong working knowledge of DFM/DFA, root-cause analysis, corrective action, process capability, and statistical process control.
  • Ability to lead complex, cross-functional manufacturing projects with limited oversight and drive decisions across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality.
  • Experience with Linux and software for manufacturing
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical requirements and risks clearly across internal teams and external partners.
  • Experience manufacturing FDA-regulated medical devices or other products in a highly regulated industry.

Position Logistics

  • This position is required to be on-site at Mendaera HQ in San Mateo.
  • Travel to visit suppliers and contract manufacturers domestically and internationally will be required.
  • The annual salary range for this position is $140,000 to $180,000.
  • Mendaera offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a 401k with a company match.

Mendaera logo

About Mendaera

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

San Mateo, CA, US

Year founded

2020